The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway- page 36

Now, he thought, I must think about the drag.

• Now: at the present time [naʊ]
• he thought: internal monologue [ hi θɔt]
• I must think: I need to consider [aɪ məst θɪŋk]
• about: regarding [əˈbaʊt]
• the drag: the resistance in the water [ðə dræg]

It has its perils and its merits.

• It has: it possesses [ɪt həz]
• its perils: its dangers [ɪts ˈpɛrəlz]
• and: and also [ənd]
• its merits: its advantages [ɪts ˈmɛrɪts]

I may lose so much line that I will lose him, if he makes his effort and the drag made by the oars is in place and the boat loses all her lightness.

• I may lose: I might misplace [aɪ meɪ luz]
• so much line: a great amount of fishing line [soʊ məʧ laɪn]
• that: to the extent that [ðət]
• I will lose him: I will lose the fish [aɪ wɪl luz ɪm]
• if: conditional [ ɪf]
• he makes his effort: the fish exerts itself [hi meɪks hɪz ˈɛfərt]
• and: and also [ənd]
• the drag made by the oars: the resistance created by the oars in the water [ðə dræg meɪd baɪ ðə ɔrz]
• is in place: is correctly positioned [ɪz ɪn pleɪs]
• and: and also [ənd]
• the boat loses: the boat sacrifices [ðə boʊt ˈluzɪz]
• all her lightness: all of its buoyancy [ɔl hər ˈlaɪtnəs]

Her lightness prolongs both our suffering but it is my safety since he has great speed that he has never yet employed.

• Her lightness: Its buoyancy [hər ˈlaɪtnəs]
• prolongs: extends [prəˈlɔŋz]
• both our suffering: the suffering of both me and the fish [boʊθ ɑr ˈsəfərɪŋ]
• but: however [bət]
• it is my safety: it is my security [ɪt ɪz maɪ ˈseɪfti]
• since: because [sɪns]
• he has great speed: the fish has a lot of speed [hi həz greɪt spid]
• that: which [ðət]
• he has never yet employed: the fish has not used yet [hi həz ˈnɛvər jɛt ɪmˈplɔɪd]

No matter what passes I must gut the dolphin so he does not spoil and eat some of him to be strong.

• No matter what passes: regardless of what happens [noʊ ˈmætər wət ˈpæsɪz]
• I must gut: I need to remove the internal organs of [aɪ məst gət]
• the dolphin: the dolphin fish [ðə ˈdɑlfən]
• so: so that [soʊ]
• he does not spoil: it does not decay [hi dɪz nɑt spɔɪl]
• and: and also [ənd]
• eat some of him: consume some of the dolphin [it səm əv ɪm]
• to be strong: in order to gain strength [tɪ bi strɔŋ]

Now I will rest an hour more and feel that he is solid and steady before I move back to the stern to do the work and make the decision.

• Now: at the present time; at this moment [naʊ]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• will: expresses a future action or intention [wɪl]
• rest: to cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength [rɛst]
• an hour: a period of time equal to sixty minutes [ən aʊər]
• more: a greater or additional amount or degree [mɔr]
• and: used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• feel: to experience an emotion or sensation [fil]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• he: referring to the fish [hi]
• is: third-person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• solid: firm and stable in shape; not hollow or liquid [ˈsɑləd]
• and: used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• steady: firmly fixed, supported, or balanced; not shaking or moving [ˈstɛdi]
• before: earlier than; in front of [ˌbiˈfɔr]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• move: change position [muv]
• back: to the place or position previously occupied [bæk]
• to: expressing motion in the direction of (a particular location [tɪ]
• the stern: the rearmost part of a ship or boat [ðə stərn]
• to: expressing purpose or intention [tɪ]
• do: perform; execute [du]
• the work: activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result [ðə wərk]
• and: used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• make: to create or construct [meɪk]
• the decision: a conclusion or resolution reached after consideration [ðə dɪˈsɪʒən]

In the meantime I can see how he acts and if he shows any changes.

• In: expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]
• the meantime: the period of time between two events [ðə ˈminˌtaɪm]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• can: expressing possibility or ability [kən]
• see: perceive with the eyes; discern visually [si]
• how: in what way or manner [haʊ]
• he: referring to the fish [hi]
• acts: take action; do something [ækts]
• and: used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• if: expressing a condition [ɪf]
• he: referring to the fish [hi]
• shows: allow (something) to be visible [ʃoʊz]
• any: one or some or every or all without specification [ˈɛni]
• changes: the act or instance of becoming different [ˈʧeɪnʤɪz]

The oars are a good trick; but it has reached the time to play for safety.

• The oars: an implement used for propelling a boat or ship through water [ðə ɔrz]
• are: plural present of the verb 'to be' [ər]
• a good trick: a clever act or plan designed to deceive or outwit someone [ə gʊd trɪk]
• but: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something previously said [bət]
• it: referring to the situation [ɪt]
• has reached: to arrive at a particular point or stage [həz riʧt]
• the time: the point of time when something occurs or should occur [ðə taɪm]
• to: expressing purpose or intention [tɪ]
• play: engage in activity for enjoyment and recreation rather than a serious or practical purpose [pleɪ]
• for safety: to take precautions to avoid danger or harm [fər ˈseɪfti]

He is much fish still and I saw that the hook was in the corner of his mouth and he has kept his mouth tight shut.

• He: referring to the fish [hi]
• is: third-person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• much fish: a great amount of fish [məʧ fɪʃ]
• still: continuing to be the case; even now [stɪl]
• and: used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themselves [aɪ]
• saw: past tense of 'see'; perceived with the eyes [sɔ]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• the hook: a curved or bent device used to catch or hold something [ðə hʊk]
• was: past tense of the verb 'to be' [wɑz]
• in: expressing the situation of something surrounded or enclosed [ɪn]
• the corner: a place where two or more sides or edges meet [ðə ˈkɔrnər]
• of his mouth: the opening in the face used for eating and speaking, belonging to the fish [əv hɪz maʊθ]
• and: used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• he: referring to the fish [hi]
• has kept: to continue to have or hold something [həz kɛpt]
• his mouth: the opening in the face used for eating and speaking, belonging to the fish [hɪz maʊθ]
• tight shut: closed firmly and securely [taɪt ʃət]

The punishment of the hook is nothing.

• The punishment: the infliction or suffering imposed as a penalty for an offense [ðə ˈpənɪʃmənt]
• of the hook: the curved or bent device used to catch or hold something [əv ðə hʊk]
• is: third-person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• nothing: no amount or quantity of something [ˈnəθɪŋ]

The punishment of hunger, and that he is against something that he does not comprehend, is everything.

• The punishment: the infliction or suffering imposed as a penalty for an offense [ðə ˈpənɪʃmənt]
• of hunger: the feeling of discomfort or weakness caused by lack of food, coupled with the desire to eat [əv ˈhəŋgər]
• and: used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• he: referring to the fish [hi]
• is: third-person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• against: in opposition to [əˈgɛnst]
• something: an unspecified or indefinite thing [ˈsəmθɪŋ]
• that: introduces a subordinate clause [ðət]
• he: referring to the fish [hi]
• does not comprehend: not understand fully [dɪz nɑt ˌkɑmpriˈhɛnd]
• is: third-person singular present of the verb 'to be' [ɪz]
• everything: all things; all that is the case or relevant [ˈɛvriˌθɪŋ]

Rest now, old man, and let him work until your next duty comes.

• Rest: cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength [rɛst]
• now: at the present time; at this moment [naʊ]
• old man: used to address the speaker [oʊld mæn]
• and: used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• let: allow [lɛt]
• him: referring to the fish [ɪm]
• work: activity involving mental or physical effort done in order to achieve a purpose or result [wərk]
• until: up to the point in time or the event mentioned [ənˈtɪl]
• your: belonging to or associated with the person or people that the speaker is addressing [jʊr]
• next duty: the next task or action that one is required to perform [nɛkst ˈduti]
• comes: happen; take place [kəmz]

He rested for what he believed to be two hours.

• He: refers to the subject, a person previously mentioned [hi]
• rested: to cease work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength [ˈrɛstɪd]
• for: indicating a period or length of time [fər]
• what: used to introduce a clause that describes or defines something [wət]
• he: refers to the subject, a person previously mentioned [hi]
• believed: to accept something as true; to have faith in [bɪˈlivd]
• to be: to exist; to equal [tɪ bi]
• two hours: a period of 120 minutes [tu aʊərz]

The moon did not rise now until late and he had no way of judging the time.

• The moon: Earth's natural satellite [ðə mun]
• did not rise: the moon was not appearing above the horizon [dɪd nɑt raɪz]
• now: at the present time or moment [naʊ]
• until late: not until a time that is far into the evening or night [ənˈtɪl leɪt]
• and: used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• he: refers to the subject, a person previously mentioned [hi]
• had no way: possessed no method or means [hæd noʊ weɪ]
• of judging: of estimating or forming an opinion about [əv ˈʤəʤɪŋ]
• the time: a specific point when something happens [ðə taɪm]

Nor was he really resting except comparatively.

• Nor: used to introduce a further negative statement [nɔr]
• was he: inversion of 'he was' for emphasis or to begin a sentence [wɑz hi]
• really: in actual fact; truly [ˈrɪli]
• resting: ceasing work or movement in order to relax, refresh oneself, or recover strength [ˈrɛstɪŋ]
• except: not including; other than [ɪkˈsɛpt]
• comparatively: in a relative way; by comparison to something else [kəmˈpærətɪvˌli]

He was still bearing the pull of the fish across his shoulders but he placed his left hand on the gunwale of the bow and confided more and more of the resistance to the fish to the skiff itself.

• He: refers to the subject, a person previously mentioned [hi]
• was still: continuing to be [wɑz stɪl]
• bearing: carrying or supporting [ˈbɛrɪŋ]
• the pull: the force exerted on something to draw it towards something else [ðə pʊl]
• of the fish: referring to the fish that is pulling the line [əv ðə fɪʃ]
• across: from one side to the other of [əˈkrɔs]
• his shoulders: the part of the body between the neck and upper arm [hɪz ˈʃoʊldərz]
• but: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something [bət]
• he: refers to the subject, a person previously mentioned [hi]
• placed: put in a particular position [pleɪst]
• his left hand: the hand on the left side of his body [hɪz lɛft hænd]
• on: physically supported by [ɔn]
• the gunwale: the upper edge of the side of a boat or ship [ðə gunwale]
• of the bow: the forward part of a boat or ship [əv ðə boʊ]
• and: used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• confided: entrusted; shared [kənˈfaɪdɪd]
• more and more: increasingly [mɔr ənd mɔr]
• of the resistance: the act of opposing or withstanding [əv ðə rɪˈzɪstəns]
• to the fish: referring to the fish that is pulling the line [tɪ ðə fɪʃ]
• to: expressing direction or purpose [tɪ]
• the skiff: a shallow, flat-bottomed open boat with a pointed bow and square stern [ðə skɪf]
• itself: used to emphasize the noun or pronoun it refers to [ˌɪtˈsɛlf]

How simple it would be if I could make the line fast, he thought.

• How simple: expressing the ease or lack of difficulty [haʊ ˈsɪmpəl]
• it would be: expressing a hypothetical situation [ɪt wʊd bi]
• if: introducing a conditional clause [ɪf]
• I: the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]
• could make: to be able to do or create something [kʊd meɪk]
• the line: a length of cord or rope [ðə laɪn]
• fast: securely fixed or attached [fæst]
• he: refers to the subject, a person previously mentioned [hi]
• thought: past tense of 'think'; to have an opinion or belief [θɔt]

But with one small lurch he could break it.

• But: used to introduce a statement that contrasts with or contradicts something [bət]
• with: accompanied by or using [wɪθ]
• one small lurch: a sudden, unsteady movement [wən smɔl lərʧ]
• he: refers to the subject, a person previously mentioned [hi]
• could break: to be able to separate into pieces as a result of a blow or strain [kʊd breɪk]
• it: referring to the line [ɪt]

I must cushion the pull of the line with my body and at all times be ready to give line with both hands.

• I: the speaker or writer referring to themself [aɪ]
• must: expressing necessity or obligation [məst]
• cushion: to lessen the impact or force of something [ˈkʊʃən]
• the pull: the force exerted on something to draw it towards something else [ðə pʊl]
• of the line: referring to the line that is being pulled [əv ðə laɪn]
• with: accompanied by or using [wɪθ]
• my body: the physical structure of a person [maɪ ˈbɑdi]
• and: used to connect words, phrases, or clauses [ənd]
• at all times: always; on every occasion [æt ɔl taɪmz]
• be ready: prepared or available [bi ˈrɛdi]
• to give line: to release or let out more of the line [tɪ gɪv laɪn]
• with: using [wɪθ]
• both hands: the two hands of the person [boʊθ hænz]

''But you have not slept yet, old man,'' he said aloud.

• But: Indicates the beginning of dialogue or a direct quote, introducing a contrasting statement [bət]
• you: Refers to the person being addressed, in this case, the 'old man' [ju]
• have not slept: Indicates a lack of sleep; past perfect tense emphasizing the duration of not sleeping [hæv nɑt slɛpt]
• yet: Indicates that something hasn't happened up to the present time [jɛt]
• old man: A term used to address or refer to an elderly man [oʊld mæn]
• he said aloud: He spoke in a voice loud enough to be heard [hi sɛd əˈlaʊd]

''It is half a day and a night and now another day and you have not slept.

• It: Beginning of a new direct quote; 'It' refers to the situation or time elapsed [ɪt]
• is: A linking verb indicating a state of being or time [ɪz]
• half a day: A period of twelve hours [hæf ə deɪ]
• and: Connects two elements, indicating addition [ənd]
• a night: The period of darkness between two days [ə naɪt]
• and: Connects two elements, indicating addition [ənd]
• now: At the present time [naʊ]
• another day: An additional 24-hour period [əˈnəðər deɪ]
• and: Connects two elements, indicating addition [ənd]
• you: Refers to the person being addressed, the 'old man' [ju]
• have not slept: Indicates a lack of sleep; past perfect tense emphasizing the duration of not sleeping [hæv nɑt slɛpt]

You must devise a way so that you sleep a little if he is quiet and steady.

• You: Refers to the person being addressed, the 'old man' [ju]
• must: Expresses necessity or obligation [məst]
• devise: To plan or invent a complex procedure or system [dɪˈvaɪz]
• a way: A method or means of doing something [ə weɪ]
• so that: Expresses purpose or result [soʊ ðət]
• you: Refers to the person being addressed, the 'old man' [ju]
• sleep: To rest with eyes closed [slip]
• a little: A small amount or extent [ə ˈlɪtəl]
• if: Expresses a condition [ɪf]
• he: Refers to a third person, likely someone or something being observed [hi]
• is: A linking verb indicating a state of being [ɪz]
• quiet: Making little or no noise [kwaɪət]
• and: Connects two elements, indicating addition [ənd]
• steady: Firmly fixed, supported, or balanced; not shaking or moving [ˈstɛdi]

I'm clear enough in the head, he thought.

• I'm: Contraction of 'I am' [əm]
• clear enough: Sufficiently clear; adequately lucid [klɪr ɪˈnəf]
• in the head: Relating to one's mental state or thinking ability [ɪn ðə hɛd]
• he thought: Indicates the character's internal thoughts [hi θɔt]

Too clear.

• Too: Excessively; more than enough [tu]
• clear: Easy to see, hear, or understand [klɪr]

I am as clear as the stars that are my brothers.

• I am: Expresses the speaker's state of being [aɪ æm]
• as clear as: Used to make a comparison, indicating a similar level of clarity [ɛz klɪr ɛz]
• the stars: Celestial bodies that emit light [ðə stɑrz]
• that: A relative pronoun referring to 'the stars' [ðət]
• are: A linking verb indicating a state of being [ər]
• my brothers: Used metaphorically to indicate a close connection or similarity [maɪ ˈbrəðərz]

Still I must sleep.

• Still: Nevertheless; despite what has just been said [stɪl]
• I: Refers to the speaker [aɪ]
• must: Expresses necessity or obligation [məst]
• sleep: To rest with eyes closed [slip]

They sleep and the moon and the sun sleep and even the ocean sleeps sometimes on certain days when there is no current and a flat calm.

• They: Refers to a group of people or things, in this case, 'the stars' [ðeɪ]
• sleep: To rest with eyes closed [slip]
• and: Connects two elements, indicating addition [ənd]
• the moon: The Earth's natural satellite [ðə mun]
• and: Connects two elements, indicating addition [ənd]
• the sun: The star at the center of the solar system [ðə sən]
• sleep: To rest with eyes closed [slip]
• and: Connects two elements, indicating addition [ənd]
• even: Used to emphasize something surprising or extreme [ˈivɪn]
• the ocean: A large body of saltwater [ðə ˈoʊʃən]
• sleeps: To rest with eyes closed; used metaphorically to describe a calm ocean [slips]
• sometimes: Occasionally; not always [ˈsəmˌtaɪmz]
• on certain days: Specific days; particular days [ɔn ˈsərtən deɪz]
• when: Expresses a time or condition [wɪn]
• there is: Indicates the existence of something [ðɛr ɪz]
• no: Indicates the absence of something [noʊ]
• current: A body of water or air moving in a definite direction [ˈkɑrənt]
• and: Connects two elements, indicating addition [ənd]
• a flat calm: A state of complete stillness and tranquility, especially of the sea [ə flæt kɑm]